Repetitive negative thinking is associated with subjective cognitive decline in older adults: a cross-sectional study
Repetitive negative thinking is associated with subjective cognitive decline in older adults: a cross-sectional study
Blog Article
Abstract Background In the absence of a cure or effective treatment for dementia, attention has shifted towards identifying risk factors for prevention.Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) describes self-perceived worsening of cognition despite unimpaired performance on neuropsychological tests.SCD has been associated with an increased dementia risk and steeper memory decline.Repetitive negative thinking (RNT) is a transdiagnostic process that manifests across several mental health disorders associated with increased vulnerability to dementia.
RNT has thus been proposed as a candidate marker of risk for dementia and, relatedly, could contribute to the manifestation of SCD.We aimed to MENS JUMPER investigate the relationship between SCD and RNT alongside other proposed psychological risk/protective factors for dementia and cognitive decline.Methods In a cross-sectional online survey, 491 older adults (mean = 64.9 years, SD = 4.
2; 63.1% female) completed measures of RNT, personality traits, purpose in life, worry, rumination, and meditation practice.SCD was assessed continuously via self-perceived cognitive function (Neuro-QoL) and categorically via endorsement (yes/no) of memory complaints.Regression models, using a stepwise backwards elimination, were built to assess associations between SCD, demographics, and all risk/protective factors.
Results A total of 24.2% of participants reported memory complaints.In the final prediction models, RNT was the only psychological variable associated Personal Care with lower self-perceived cognitive function and with a higher likelihood of memory complaints.Conclusions This study empirically corroborates the theoretical relationship between SCD and RNT.
Longitudinal studies are needed to establish whether RNT is a prodromal symptom or an independent risk factor, and whether RNT can be a promising construct for future research on SCD and dementia risk.